Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - March 4, 2025

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on March 4, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included approvals of a consent agenda, public hearings, discussion of several key items, and executive sessions. Notable actions included the denial of an appeal for a car wash development, denial of a dance permit, approval of a budget amendment for demolition of Hill School, approval of an interlocal agreement with the Alabama Air National Guard, an amendment to a surveillance contract with Alabama Power Company, and a restated redevelopment agreement for the former Ramsay-McCormack Building in Ensley. The council also heard public comments on transit, a drainage issue, and the Ensley project.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 65 consent items, including routine approvals of alcoholic beverage licenses, budget amendments (e.g., $210,608.51 for Fire and Rescue recruitment; $1,522,192.00 from Bloomberg Philanthropies for an innovation team; $756,143.06 for Hill School demolition), a three-year agreement with Station Automation Inc. for PSTrax software ($182,076.00), a $100,000 increase to Rickwood Field management fee (total $250,000.00), an amended redevelopment agreement with Ensley District Developers (later removed for separate discussion), neighborhood funding resolutions (picnic events up to $3,000, training events up to $5,000, office supplies up to $2,500, holiday parties up to $500 per neighborhood), a right-of-way encroachment for a blade sign, a settlement of up to $65,000 in the Deramus v. Hood case, demolition of 28 unsafe buildings, a noxious weed abatement hearing for 101 properties set for April 8, 2025, pavement patching bid to Global Construction ($479,698.00), leachate pump replacement ($28,790.00), payments for a burnisher ($1,248.75), 50 carbon cylinders ($67,450.00), 21 extractors ($161,679.00), Tanium software ($224,239.59), and 42 pickup trucks and 6 cargo vans ($1,853,922.00), plus employee expense accounts. Items 28 and 38 (demolition) were withdrawn.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marva Douglas (Midfield) advocated for robust public transit, noting the state's lack of funding and supporting Senate Bill 11 for a vehicle fee to fund transit.
• Anthony Outsey (Ensley) urged the council to reconsider the $6 million redevelopment for the Ramsay-McCormack site, suggesting the money could go to local business owners.
• Iggy Pullum (address given) spoke concerning the Birmingham Museum of Flight (no further detail).
• Brian Rice (Ensley) criticized the Ramsay-McCormack redevelopment, alleging lack of structural reports, a perceived bribe, and that $12 million has been spent with little progress; he called for transparency and consideration of other developers.
• Cynthia Turner (616 26th Ave NW) reported a drainage ditch issue behind her house that the city partially addressed in 2022 but never completed; case number given.
• Christopher Broadnax (Ensley) shared personal trauma from a shooting near the Ramsay-McCormack site and asked for a transparent step-by-step plan and consideration of other developers.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 (Appeal - LIV Development Car Wash): Michael Douglas (attorney) appealed the denial of a building permit for an automated car wash at 2310-2316 8th Ave South. He argued no moratorium was in effect when the application was filed (Dec. 18, 2024) and the subsequent moratorium lacked proper public notice. The property is zoned B2 (commercial). City staff (Kim Spurl, zoning) noted the area's future mixed-use zoning would prohibit car washes. BDOT (Forrest Johnson) cited traffic concerns (27,000 vehicles daily on University Blvd), driveway conflicts, and inconsistency with multimodal plans. Southside Neighborhood president Paul Godby opposed, citing traffic and safety. The council expressed safety concerns and voted to deny the appeal (unanimous ayes vs. nays).
• Item 9 (Dance Permit - The G Spot): A resolution for a Division II Dance Permit at 3912 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N. Public Safety Committee recommended denial due to zoning violations (within 1,000 feet of residential property). Staff error was noted (application conflated liquor license and dance permit). Council voted to deny (unanimous).
• Item 12 (Hill School Demolition Budget): Budget amendment transferring $756,143.06 from general fund to neighborhood revitalization fund for demolition of Hill School. Funding from insurance proceeds. Councilmembers asked about future plans; staff said a redevelopment plan is being developed. Approved unanimously.
• Item 13 (Interlocal Agreement with 117th ARW): Ordinance authorizing an agreement with the Alabama Air National Guard for crisis management at five facilities in Birmingham, for up to three years. No liability exchange. Approved unanimously after discussion.
• Item 14 (Alabama Power Surveillance Amendment): Resolution to amend the existing contract to align with a federal Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant (Senator Britt). Allows reimbursement. Councilmember Abbott praised cameras. Approved unanimously.
• Item 15 (Ensley District Redevelopment): Amended and restated agreement for a 30,000 sq ft, 5-story LEED-certified office building on the former Ramsay-McCormack site. City to provide up to $6 million ($2M cash, $3M forgivable loan, $1M optional loan). Estimated project cost $19.9M. Councilmember Abbott expressed concerns about past issues and taxpayer burden. City Attorney recommended executive session for pending litigation; council entered executive session twice. After discussion, vote: 8 ayes (Abbott, Clarke, Moore, Smitherman, Tate, Woods, Alexander, O'Quinn) and 1 nay (Williams). Resolution adopted.
• Item 56 (Pavement Patching): Unit price bid of $479,698.00 to Global Construction for 2025 pavement patching. Council discussed pothole response times and illegal overnight excavation. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (Car Wash Appeal): Denied (unanimous). The application will not proceed.
• Item 9 (Dance Permit): Denied (unanimous).
• Item 12 (Hill School Demolition): Approved (unanimous). Funds transferred for demolition.
• Item 13 (National Guard Agreement): Approved (unanimous).
• Item 14 (Alabama Power Surveillance): Approved (unanimous).
• Item 15 (Ensley Redevelopment): Approved (8-1). Mayor authorized to execute agreement.
• Item 56 (Pavement Patching): Approved (unanimous). Contract awarded.
• All consent items approved (unanimous).
• Council went into executive session twice (10:37-10:58 a.m. and 11:49 a.m.-12:31 p.m.) to discuss pending litigation.
• Meeting adjourned at 1:14 p.m.